Pentagon raises bar for kicking out gays

The Pentagon announced immediate changes on Thursday to make it more difficult for the military to kick out gay service members, an interim step while Congress debates repeal of the existing "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates told a news conference that the directives included raising the rank of those allowed to begin investigation procedures against suspected violators of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Gates said he was also raising the bar for what constitutes "credible" information to start an inquiry, and steps to curb expulsions of servicemen and women "outed" by third parties. (Reuters)